Tuesday, December 8, 1998
Katz leaves
By Cindy Luis
Rainbows
Star-BulletinA difference of opinion has led to a parting of the ways.
Freshman setter Noam Katz returned to his native Israel last night after three months with the University of Hawaii men's volleyball team. The younger brother of former Rainbow All-American Yuval Katz said he had a problem with the UH coaching staff and would be signing a pro contract in Israel.
Noam Katz was told after the Thanksgiving week series with Brigham Young that he would have to work on several phases of his game if he wanted to be the Rainbows' starting setter next month. UH coach Mike Wilton told Katz the position belonged to senior Mason Kuo until Katz earned the position.
"I'm disappointed he's leaving," Rainbow coach Mike Wilton said yesterday. "I issued him a challenge and he didn't want to take it. I told him Mason would be starting because it would mean we were a better team. But I was giving him the opportunity to get on the floor.
"Basically, I gave him a list of three things to work on over Christmas break. He had another option in mind. He could not be assured of being the setter so he has decided to leave."
Katz said he enjoyed his time in Hawaii and had hoped to "show the people a good time like my brother had," he said. "I wish the team good luck ... The one thing I do have to say is there was a bad attitude toward me by the coaching staff and I didn't want to stay with it like that."
The Rainbows open the season Jan. 13 with UC San Diego.
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